Massage instrument



April 6, 1937. J. JqMCGERRY 2,076,410

MASSAGE INSTRUMENT Filed April 8, 1935 vAcuMN PUMP NOTOR Q BY @WJ/6rd' ATTORNEY.S

Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES BIASSAGE INSTRUMNT Mich.

Application April` 8, 1935, Serial No. 15,355

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in massage instruments and process of massaging.

The objects of the invention are:

First, to provide a massage appliance for the holding of the skin surface suitably cupped. and applying a massage locally to any degree desired. Second, to provide such a structure which is under complete control ofthe manipulator.

, `Third, to provide such av structure which is con- '10 venient to handle.

Fourth, to provide an improved massage instrument with an improved cupping and applicator means.

Fifth, to provide an improved method of massaging.

Further objects, and objects relating to details, will appear in the following specication and claims.

Preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation with the vacuum pump indicated diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a similar longitudinal detail sectional view of a modified form with a massaging motor,

electrical or otherwise, external of the instrument, the instrument having an enlarged vacuum chamber in the handle.

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view, the handle being shown in section, and the mechanical actuator for the applicator contained in the instru-` ment head, the handle being in broken section.

The parts will be identified by their numerals of reference which are the same in all the views.

I is a transparent glass cup for cupping the skin surface. This is carried by the head 2, being suitably retained thereon by a screw nut 3 on the central tubular nipple part 4 which connects the exhaust chamber 5 with the cup. The exhaust chamber is formed by a cap screwthreaded onto a suitable flange on the hollow head 2. 'I is the nipple connection for the eduction tube 8 for connection to the vacuum pump 9 here illustrated diagrammatically.

A check valve I0 is provided consisting of a tubular casing II screw-threaded onto the nipple l2. This is provided with check ball valves I3 which are held under adjustable tension by the spring I4, the tension being varied by screwing the cap I I out and in. It is knurled for that purpose.

Extending centrally through the tube 4 is the applicator I5 with a suitable applicator head I6I which may be of any desired form. I show two,

(CI. 12S- 55) one presenting. a. spherical: face and the other a cupped or concave face. This is reciprocated centrally of the vacuum cup and affords meansI for manipulation of the skin surface to any extentl desired. The skin. surface is drawn upas indicatedv by dotted lines in Figs; 1 andl 2, and the applicator is controlled to either gently touch the skin and repeatedly tap it or to operate upon the same with a violent action whicheverV the condition seems to require or is in accordance with the best practice. The applicator I5 is supported on a central plunger Il which reciprocates.` in a suitable sleeve I8 and is provided with a helical compression spring I9 secured to the plunger at 20.

In the construction of Fig. 1, I provide a solenoid 2| adapted to act upon the core 22 which is adapted to act upon the plunger I'I, the stroke being adjusted by the axial set screw 23 suitably threaded into the end of the solenoid casing. 24 is an electric connection to the` solenoid which may be of any approved form, the solenoid itself being an article of commerce. When alternating current is used, a very high rate of vibration is secured without further provision. If only direct v current is obtainable, it may be controlled by rapidly opening and closing a switch or by any suitable vibrator.

In Fig. 2, the cup I is of slightly different form. The applicator I6 is shown with a cupped end and screw-thread adjustment on the end of the plunger Il. A nipple 25 is screw-threaded into the head 2. The plunger Il is reciprocatingly mounted in the bearing 26| of the hollow handle 26. This plunger is connected to a flexible wire connection 2l terminating in a cam follower 28 held yieldingly outward by spring 29 and operated upon by the cam 30 on the arbor 3| of the motor 32. In this way, the vibration of the plunger is secured by mechanical action of the electric motor and not by pulsations or variations of the current.

In Fig. 3, I show the vacuum chamber like that illustrated in Fig. 1. The applicator I6 is carried on a short plunger Il. This is provided with a cam follower 33 acted upon by the cam 34 on the shaft 35, the motor 32 being connected by the ilexible shaft 36 (see Fig. 3). The shaft 35 extends longitudinally through the handle 3l. The same vacuum producing means is here used precisely as that appearing in Fig. 1.

The operation of the device will be given in general terms applicable to all forms and indicating in this connection, the process. I intend PATENT OFFICE d to define the process so that if a vacuum cup and applicator were manipulated in any way, they would produce the result. The surface of the skin is suitably lubricated to secure a sealed joint and also to permit of the moving of the instrument over the surface which is especially desirable for a light treatment over an extensive area. The treatment, however, can be intensified to any degree desired. When the cup is applied to the skin of the face or neck, for instance,`

vacuum is immediately created which tends to bring blood to the surface throughout the entire area cupped. The skin is then acted upon by the vibrating applicator within the vacuum and thereby enhances and increases the action and develops to the fullest extent the circulation of blood in the area being treated. The tension, owing to the manipulation and vacuum action, evacuates all pores, and by the effective blood circulation, rejuvenates the skin, and the skin, being under slight tension, wrinkles are eliminated and the action tends to restore the skin to its full functioning condition. By periodic manipulations in this way, the skin is greatly benefited on the entire surface treated. The capillaries are especially distended and the circulation therethrough made active which secures the beneficial effect of complete and thorough circulation in the part being treated. 'Ihis is done with a minimum of inconvenience and without pain and by causing the thorough circulation with a'minimum of application to the exterior secures the flexibility and softness of skins so much desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described, a transparent vacuum cup, a vacuum chamber connected thereto with pump to induce the vacuum, an adjustable relief check valve for controlling the extent of the vacuum comprising a cup with a ball valve and spring for holding the same to its seat, a vibrating applicator centrally disposed within the cup, a plunger for supporting the same for axialreciprocation and vibration, a hollow handle connected to the said vacuum chamber, the plunger being disposed and supported axially in the said handle, a flexible extension to the said plunger, a cam with cam follower for vibrating the same, and an electric motor for driving the same.

2. In a structure of the class described, a transparent vacuum cup, a vacuum chamber connected thereto, a vibrating applicator centrally disposed within the cup, a plunger for supporting the same for axial reciprocation and vibration, a hollow handle connected to the said vacuum chamber, the plunger being disposed and supported axially in the said handle, a flexible extension to the said plunger, a cam with'cam follower for vibrating the same, and an electric motor for driving the same.

' Y JAMES J. MCGERRY. 

